LIVERPOOL has joined the global elite by being named a World Heritage site.

LIVERPOOL has joined the global elite by being named a World Heritage site.

Unesco leaders meeting in China gave the go-ahead to Liverpool's bid after a nail-biting 18-month wait.

The Unesco panel took an hour discussing the bid before agreeing it. But Unesco has placed a condition on Liverpool's status - it says all new development must be in harmony with the city's existing features such as the Pier Head and the Albert Dock.

It joins the cities of Bath, Edinburgh and Havana as well as landmarks including Stonehenge and the Taj Mahal on the heritage list.

Being a World Heritage site does not bring extra money in itself but city leaders say it will help protect Liverpool's rich past and attract thousands more tourists to the region, leading to new investment and jobs in the city.

Council leader Mike Storey said today: "It's another great boost to Liverpool's image and confidence and recognition of the importance of the city's unique architectural legacy.

"This new status isn't just looking to the past. It's confirmation that Liverpool is very much a world city of today."

World Heritage sites are selected by the World Heritage Committee. They have to be sites recognised as being of outstanding universal value. Liverpool joined the UK's "tentative" list for WHS in 1999, and between then and 2001 a potential bid was developed.

The city appointed a World Heritage Officer, John Hinchliffe, in December 2001, and a year later a nomination document was drawn up. In January 2003, the government announced that Liverpool would be the only UK bid for the prestigious title. And today it it finally got the green light.

The bid was based on Liverpool as a maritime mercantile city and reflected its significance as a commercial port at the time of Britain's greatest global influence.

Mr Hinchliffe, who travelled to China to support the bid, said today: "The support of Liverpool people and the pride they showed in the city was crucial in helping us achieve this status."

The news was also welcomed by Prime Minister Tony Blair, who told the ECHO: "I am delighted that Liverpool's magnificent waterfront has been given this global recognition.

"It is more good news for Merseyside and can only further increase the area's attractiveness to business and visitors alike. It is also another sign of how Liverpool is building on its heritage to forge a modern, confident, vibrant and successful city."

Sir Neil Cossons, chairman of English Heritage and a long-term champion of Liverpool said: "This is outstanding news for England's finest Victorian city."

Heritage Minister Lord McIntosh said: "I congratulate all those who worked so hard for the success of this nomination and indeed the city and people of Liverpool.

"They have every right to feel proud. Coming on top of their nomination last year as Capital of Culture 2008 this announcement marks yet another step in the continuing regeneration of the city."

Riverside MP Louise Ellman aed: "It's a major international tribute to Liverpool and confirmation that our achievements are being recognised world-wide."

...but what about the Fourth Grace?>

THE World Heritage Committee's ruling that new development must be "in harmony" with the existing city heritage could raise questions about the futuristic Fourth Grace planned for the Pier Head.

But council leader Mike Storey said: "It's about making sure that new developments are of the highest quality and design, and complement those around them. It doesn't mean new developments can't take place.

"We wanted an iconic building for the 21st century. At the beginning of the 20th there were these amazing, iconic buildings built on the waterfront. The Liver Building was controversial when it was first built."